THE PERFORMERS!

The 3rd Floor (Portland OR) has been performing critically acclaimed theatrical sketch comedy since 1996. They've spawned a franchise group (The 3rd Floor:LA), appeared in numerous short films (including one with sketch pioneers Firesign Theater), inspired a hit web-animation series (SHAWKS), have received standing ovations at both the Chicago SketchFest and The Best Of The Best SketchFest, and are back for their 3rd year at The Seattle SketchFest.

The Animal Club (Chicago IL) is a diverse multimedia sketch comedy group that formed in Pittsburgh in 2000. The group of ten writer/performers has been seen in numerous venues in Pittsburgh and Ohio, amassing a library of over 200 sketches. Inspired equally by vaudevillian comedians and modern sketch groups, Animal Club shows are typically eclectic.

Bald Faced Lie (Seattle WA) began in 1996 as a late-night alternative to Seattle's improv scene, and has since grown into a nationally and internationally recognized comedic theatre company, not only producing original sketch, but also plays, staged readings, and experimental cabarets.

The Defiant Thomas Brothers (Chicago IL) are Paul Thomas and Seth Thomas.

Drawing on cool jazz, dime fiction, and the absurdists as inspirations, Flaming Box of Stuff (Seattle WA) is decidedly a different type of comedy. Comprised of veteran Seattle comedy writers and actors, their approach combines intelligent humor with a unique style and wit to create brief glimpses of worlds and characters of the decidedly dark variety.

Gut-Wrench (Vancouver BC) is Vancouver's only all-female sketch troupe (except for John and Drew who are men). Canadian Prime Minister Jean Cretien called Gut-Wrench, "The most important sketch group in Canadian history! I would rather give the U.S. all our water and the secret to our public healthcare system rather than let Gut-Wrench go south!" But south they've come!

Jeff [Schell] & Dave [Swidler] (Hollywood CA) are the writing partners behind popular sketch troupe The Habit and comedy shows Jumping the Shark, Chaos Theory, and Joe Shmoe. Jeff & Dave's writing has been featured on the legendary sketch series Almost Live and its ill-fated spin-off The John Report with Bob.

Long Hard Comedy Rocket (Vancouver BC) is the duo of Sam Dulmage and Peter New. Smart, original and imaginative, their style includes surrealism, parody, Vaudevillian wordplay, and dashes of pathos and R-rated ribaldry. Together and separately, they have won numerous awards for their playwriting, TV writing and short films.

Critics have called PUNCH DRUNK (Dallas TX) "Part Charo/ Part David Lynch" and "like the Carol Burnett Show on peyote." However, we feel more comfortable calling ourselves a cult. Our (OBEY) mission is to deliver bold, subversive work wrapped in a sugar coated, synapse-crackling shell. We invite you to RELAX and LET US LOVE YOU. It's easier that way.

Three Dead Trolls In A Baggie (Edmonton AB) (NOUN) 1. A satirical and poignant blend of puppetry, music, and naked flute playing. 2. A marginally recognizable comedy brand that has garnered 2.7 million mp3 downloads, and sold a couple thousand albums. 3. Two Canadian guys sleeping in a van in the theatre's parking lot. missing "since" before the year.

Boston raised, and Los Angeles CA based, TROOP!'s six writer/performers have been performing together for over five years. Credits include appearances at LA's Comedy Store, HBO workspace and well received shows at Sketchfests in Seattle, Chicago, and San Francisco, including opening for Upright Citizen's Brigade.

Wig Box (Los Angeles CA) is an all woman comedy group which performs original hilarious sketch. The show mixes short nonsensical bits and off-the-wall performance dance pieces with character driven scenes, reminiscent of Kids in the Hall, Monty Python, and Mr. Show! Only with gals!

If Lake Wobegon was a superfund, and Garrison Keillor seemed always to be vaguely threatening you, you might find yourself living just up the road from White Noise (San Francisco CA). In the tradition of Orson Welles, the Firesign Theater, Joe Frank, and others not numerous enough to mention, WNRT has been exploring the realms of audio and live comedic performance for so long it's almost embarrassing.